Xi, Obama to ensure implementation of Paris Agreement

Beijing, Dec 14 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama said on Monday that they were ready to work with each other and other relevant parties to make sure that the historic climate accord reached in Paris will be effectively implemented.

In a telephonic conversation, Xi said the Paris deal, which resulted from concerted efforts of the international community, charts a clear course for global cooperation on fighting climate change from 2020, Xinhua reported.

China, the US and other relevant parties maintained close coordination and jointly contributed to the success of the UN climate conference in Paris, Xi said.

The Paris meeting marked a new starting point in global response to climate change, he added.

China was willing to work with the US and other relevant parties to ensure the implementation of the Paris deal.

China will effectively expand pragmatic bilateral cooperation in tackling climate change so as to bring more benefits to people, Xi said.

China wishes to maintain coordination and cooperation with the US side on major global issues, he added.

Obama also applauded the Paris climate deal, saying the US, China and other relevant parties had strengthened coordination and cooperation in their efforts to secure the deal.

The US stands ready to work with China and other relevant parties to make sure that the deal will go into effect and be implemented, Obama said.

US-China communication and cooperation over climate change have demonstrated that the two countries can conduct constructive cooperation in a wide range of global affairs, Obama said.